RI sees crude oil output up

RI sees crude oil output up

JAKARTA: Indonesia expects crude oil output to increase up to 300,000 barrels a day next year as two oil fields are scheduled to commence production then, Mines and Energy Minister Purnomo said Friday.

"Each of the fields will produce between 100,000 and 150,000 barrels per day," the minister said, identifying the fields as the onshore Cepu in Central Java and offshore West Seno in the Makassar Strait.

Because of the expected increase in production, Purnomo said the government may ask the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to raise Indonesia's crude output quota next year.

Indonesia is the only South East Asian member of OPEC. Its crude oil output stands around 1.2 million b/d.

Purnomo refused to comment on the government's stance on whether OPEC should raise its output during a meeting next month in Osaka, Japan.

He said the government is still studying the matter. --Dow Jones